Bilal Asif finished with figures of 6-36 off 21.3 overs
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Pakistan extended their lead to 325 after debutant Bilal Asif carved through Australia’s batting line-up with a six-wicket haul on the third day of the first Test in Dubai.
Starting off the day on 30/0, Australia debutant Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja converted their 30-run partnership into a 142-run stand, during which both batsmen surpassed their half-centuries.
Aaron Finch struck a half-century on debut
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Finch ended up making 62, which came off 161 balls and included five boundaries and a six, before he was caught by Asad Shafiq at short mid-on off the bowling of Mohammad Abbas.
Shaun Marsh only scored seven runs before he was caught by Shafiq at slip off the bowling of Asif.
Asif struck again in his next over as he had Khawaja caught by Imam-ul-Haq at short leg for 85, which came off 175 deliveries and included eight boundaries.
Usman Khawaja scored his 13th Test fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Asif continued to tear through Australia’s batting line-up as he removed debutants Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne for ducks in the space of three deliveries.
Things went from bad to worse for the Baggy Greens as Mitchell Marsh was trapped lbw off the bowling of Abbas for 12 runs.
Australia captain Tim Paine, who made seven runs, became Asif’s fifth victim, while Mitchell Starc was caught behind off the bowling of Abbas for a duck.
Peter Siddle mustered 10 runs before he was clean bowled by Abbas.
Australia ended up being bowled out for 202, which gave Pakistan a 280-run lead, when Nathan Lyon was caught by Azhar Ali at forward square leg off the bowling of Asif for six runs.
Asif was the pick of the bowlers with six wickets, while Abbas snapped up four.
With a 280-run lead in hand, Pakistan made a disappointing start to their second innings as opener Mohammad Hafeez was caught by Labuschagne at silly point off the bowling of Jon Holland for 17.
Asif, who was sent in as the nightwatchman, failed to trouble the scorers as he was dismissed by Lyon for a duck.
Azhar did not last long at the crease either as he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Holland for four runs.
Azhar was not given out initially, but Australia reviewed. Their decision to do so paid off as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit the stumps.
As soon as Azhar was dismissed, stumps was called, which left Imam-ul-Haq unbeaten on a 45-ball 23, which included two boundaries.
Holland was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Lyon claimed one.
Pakistan ended day three on 45/3 and will continue batting on Wednesday at 10:00 local time or 06:00 GMT.